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Topic: Pasta Salad

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Subject: Pasta Salad
Date Posted: 6/18/2008 5:06 PM ET
Member Since: 12/15/2004
Posts: 282
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I need a recipe for pasta salad, I haven't made one in a long time. I could probaly fake it but is someone has a good recipe I would appreciate it.

sacha avatar
Date Posted: 6/19/2008 10:35 AM ET
Member Since: 4/17/2008
Posts: 529
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Here's one I make.

1 box of tri-colored rotini pasta cooked and cooled

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

1 large cucumber

diced red onions (however much you want to put in)

after that's mixed I use Kraft's Zesty Italian Salad Dressing (however much you want) 

LesleyH avatar
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Date Posted: 6/19/2008 11:15 AM ET
Member Since: 4/30/2007
Posts: 2,728
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There are so many ways to make pasta salad- you can adapt them to whatever your tastes are.  Here are a few that I make frequently- sorry, I don't measure when I cook, I just throw in however much I want until it looks/tastes right!

Greek Pasta Salad

rotini or penne pasta- cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed

black and/or kalamata olives (pitted), sliced in half

quartered artichoke hearts (water packed), diced

grape tomatoes, sliced in half, OR some sundried tomatoes

cucumber, peeled and diced (seeds removed)

diced red and/or green bell pepper

diced red onion

sliced red onion

crumbled feta cheese

dressing: whish together one part lemon juice, two parts olive oil, fresh minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste (or instead of the salt and pepper, use some grill seasoning as a shortcut) and a pinch of sugar.   Toss salad with dressing and refrigerate at least a couple of hours.

Italian Pasta Salad

Penne pasta, cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed

sliced black olives

chopped tomato

grated zucchini

diced bell pepper

salami, diced

mozzarella cheese, diced

grated parmesan cheese

bottled italian salad dressing (or make your own with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and spices)

Mexican Pasta Salad

bow-tie pasta, cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

corn, either canned or fresh, cooked and cut off the cob

diced onion

diced red and/or green bell pepper

diced tomato

dressing: whisk together 1/2 part lime juice, 1/2 part red wine vinegar, 2 parts olive or vegetable oil, chili powder, minced garlic, salt/pepper, and some green taco sauce

Pour dressing over salad and toss.  Serve topped with some grated pepper jack cheese.

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Subject: Pasta salad
Date Posted: 6/19/2008 8:36 PM ET
Member Since: 12/15/2004
Posts: 282
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Thanks for the suggestions, I kinda knew the ingrediants I couldn't remember what to do with dressing. Forgot which I used before.



Last Edited on: 6/19/08 8:37 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
GMUGnome avatar
Date Posted: 6/22/2008 8:21 PM ET
Member Since: 11/12/2007
Posts: 79
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Ooo, Lesley, I think I'm going to have to make your Mexican pasta salad!  That looks sooooooo good.

DF and I are trying to slim down, so I put loads of veggies in mine -- I usually end up with more veggies than pasta.  Here's the recipe for the last one I made: thebudgetfoodie.blogspot.com/2008/04/italian-pasta-salad.html